Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

2 SAMUEL 17:15KJV
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2 Samuel 17:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 17:15 mean?

2 Samuel 17:15 describes how Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar about the advice that Ahithophel had given to Absalom and the elders of Israel, as well as the advice Hushai himself had given. This verse shows Hushai acting as a double agent, passing on important information to David’s allies.

In this scene, Hushai is secretly working for David while pretending to support Absalom, who is leading a rebellion against his father David. Hushai shares the details of both Ahithophel’s and his own counsel with Zadok and Abiathar, the priests loyal to David, so they can get word to David about what is happening in Jerusalem and help him respond wisely.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 17:15

  • יָעַץ (ya‘ats, "counsel" / "counselled"): This word appears twice, once for Ahithophel’s advice and once for Hushai’s. It means to give advice or make a plan, highlighting the contrast between the two sets of advice and showing the strategic battle of wits happening behind the scenes.
  • זָדוֹק (Tsadok, "Zadok") and אֶבְיָתָר (’Evyatar, "Abiathar"): Naming both priests emphasizes their trusted role as messengers and supporters of David, not just religious figures but also key players in the political drama.
  • זְקֵנִים (zeqenim, "elders"): Mentioning the elders of Israel shows that Ahithophel’s advice was not just for Absalom, but was meant to sway the leadership of the nation, making the stakes of Hushai’s report even higher.

Why 2 Samuel 17:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Hushai was not just passively present in Absalom’s court but was actively working to help David by passing on crucial intelligence.
  • The verse highlights the importance of communication and loyalty during a time of crisis, showing how David’s network depended on trusted allies like Zadok and Abiathar.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the larger story, where David’s survival depends on the information relayed by these priests and the choices made based on the competing counsel given to Absalom.

Where else these words appear

“Hushai” Hebrew H2365 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
  • 2 Samuel 16:18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
  • 2 Samuel 17:8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

“Ahithophel” Hebrew H302 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
  • 2 Samuel 16:21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
  • 2 Samuel 17:14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

“Abiathar” Hebrew H54 · used in 28 verses

  • 1 Samuel 22:20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
  • 2 Samuel 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
  • 1 Kings 2:22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

“Zadok” Hebrew H6659 · used in 50 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
  • 1 Kings 1:38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.